NIDA applauds the return of live theatre to Sydney

NIDA applauds the upcoming return of live shows to Sydney, as the COVID-19 vaccination targets set by the NSW Government allow audiences back into theatre venues.

Entertainment venues will be subject to restrictions under the Public Health Order and productions will initially perform to 75% capacity, mask-wearing will be compulsory and all patrons, staff, cast and crew will be required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of entry to a number of premises.

NIDA alumni are involved in a number of the newly launched and reopening productions as performers and in behind-the-scenes roles ranging from technical production to design.

Sydney Theatre Company (STC) has announced its return to the stage with Artistic Director and NIDA alumnus Kip Williams' (Directing, 2009) production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and as well as a production of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman by Associate Director and NIDA alumna Paige Rattray (Directing, 2009).

‘After months of theatres being closed, I’m so excited to share two great productions,’ Kip Williams said. ‘During the lockdown, my creative team and I have been cooking up a theatrical treat for Julius Caesar, which is our first show to be performed 'in the round' in the newly renovated Wharf 1 Theatre.'

Julius Caesar features NIDA alumni Elizabeth Gadsby (Design for Performance, 2013) as designer and David Bergman (Production, 2008) as video designer, with Jessica Arthur (Directing, 2015) as Assistant Director. Death of a Salesman features NIDA alumni Callan Colley (Acting, 2016), Thuso Lekwape (Acting, 2014), Josh McConville (Acting, 2008), Philip Quast (Acting, 1979), Contessa Treffone (Acting, 2012) and Alan Zhu (Acting, 2020), with set design by David Fleischer (Design, 2009), costume design by Teresa Negroponte (Design, 2009), music and sound design by Clemence Williams (Directing, 2016) and Zindzi Okenyo (Acting, 2006) as Assistant Director.

At Griffin Theatre, Wherever She Wanders features NIDA alumni Emily Havea (Acting, 2014), Mark Paguio (Acting, 2018) and Fiona Press (Acting, 1983) with designer Ella Butler (Design for Performance, 2017), sound associate Daniel Herten (TTSM, 2020) and video designer Susie Henderson (TTSM, 2019).

Prima Facie returns for a short season written by Suzie Miller (Playwriting, 2000) with Sheridan Harbridge (Acting, 2006), director Lee Lewis (Directing, 2005), designer Renée Mulder (Design, 2008), stage manager Khym Scott (Production, 2012). It then tours to London for a short season at the Harold Pinter Theatre on the West End.

Over at Belvoir, The Boomkak Panto, features NIDA alumni Deborah Galanos (Acting, 1989) with set and costume design by Michael Hankin (Design, 2009) and Ayah Tayeh as Assistant Stage Manager (TTSM, 2019).

Independent theatre company Redline launches Happy Days with lighting design by Veronique Bennett (Design, 2019) and set design by Charles Davis (Design, 2014).

At the Hayes Theatre, Merrily We Roll Along features NIDA alumni Elise McCann (Acting, 2003) with set design by Jeremy Allen (Design, 2015), lighting design by Veronique Bennett (TTSM, 2017), and video and sound design by David Bergman (Technical Production, 2008).

The Woman in Black is to return to Ensemble Theatre in October, featuring NIDA alumni Garth Holcombe (Acting, 2006 and current NIDA tutor), with lighting design by Trudy Dalgleish (Technical Production, 1982).

In musical theatre, Come From Away Australia has announced it will reopen in Sydney. MFA (Directing) graduand Liam McIlwain returns as Resident Director and Choreographer, with NIDA alumni Joshua Broadbent (Production, 2015) as Assistant Stage Manager and starring Manon Gunderson-Briggs (Dip Musical Theatre, 2016).

Finally, after 16-and-a-half weeks off the stage, NIDA alumnus Shaka Cook (Acting, 2012) reprises his role in Hamilton at the Sydney Lyric.

Applications to study at NIDA in 2022 are closing on 29 October. There are no fees to apply and scholarships are available. For information and how to apply: apply.nida.edu.au/